Five political quotations:
First: “The system is rigged. Oil companies guzzle down billions in subsidies. Billionaires pay lower tax rates than their secretaries. Wall Street CEOs—the same ones who wrecked our economy and destroyed millions of jobs—still strut around Congress, no shame, demanding favors and acting like we should thank them.”
Second: “The limitation of governmental power, of governmental action, means the enslavement of the people by the great corporations who can only be held in check through the extension of governmental power.”
Third: “The people of the United States have but one instrument which they can effectively use against the colossal combinations of business—and that instrument is the government of the United States.”
Fourth: “76% (of young Americans) believe the lack of job opportunities—not the lack of government—is shrinking the middle class.”
Fifth: “The equal opportunity which those seek who proclaim the coming of so-called social justice involves a forced division of property…and that means socialism.”
Where do those quotations come from? First, Elizabeth Warren, candidate for Senate in Massachusetts (WSJ, September 6, A5). Second, Theodore Roosevelt, running for president in 1912; James Chace, “1912, 196.” Third, TR again; “1912,” 197. Fourth: Pew Research Center survey; WSJ, September 6, A15. Fifth, incumbent President Howard Taft; “1912,” 220.
“There is nothing new under the sun. Is there anything of which one can say, ‘Look! This is something new’? It was here already, long ago; it was here before our time.” (Ecclesiastes 1:9-10)
The presidential campaign of 1912 had a great impact upon politics and government for decades to come. We are promised that this year’s election, 100 years later, will as well. Since the Bible teaches that government is a divine institution (Romans 13:1-2), Christians should learn the claims and consequences of the competing candidates as our responsible stewardship of God’s gift of government. May God give us discernment!
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